What to Wear in Iceland in Winter (October-April): Bring a Winter Jacket and a Swimsuit

In Europe, Iceland by JurgaLAST UPDATED: March 25, 2020This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More info: Disclosure.

Traveling to Iceland in winter and wondering what kind of weather to expect and what to wear in Iceland in winter (October, November, December, January, February, or March and even April)? Or maybe you are looking for tips on what to pack for Iceland in winter? This article should answer all your questions.

Whether you want to know what to wear in Iceland in November, December, January, or February, or what to pack for Iceland in October or March, this Iceland winter packing list contains all the information that you need in order to truly enjoy your Icelandic winter adventure.

It’s the most complete no-nonsense Iceland winter packing list out there. I include all the tips on what to wear in Iceland in winter and other items that you really shouldn’t forget. In addition, I share my personal experience and examples of what I wore in Iceland in November.

At the bottom of this article, you can also find some tips on what to wear in Reykjavik in winter. If interested, you can also download a printable version of this Iceland winter packing list. Read on!

Good to know: Just to make it clear, by winter in Iceland I don’t just mean November, December, January, and February. Icelandic winter is much longer than that! So this Iceland winter packing list has all you need to pack when traveling in Iceland between the end of September till the end of April. For the rest of the year – check our Iceland packing list for summer.

How cold is it in Iceland in winter?

You may wonder how cold is it in Iceland in winter. It’s actually warmer than you would expect – average temperatures in Reykjavik are around 0°C (31°F) in January. However, don’t let that fool you – the wind makes it feel much colder than the temperatures would make you think.

On top of that, Icelandic weather is known to change quickly and often. Usually, you will get more rain than snow and cold northerly winds which can be very strong. Iceland is really very cold in winter. When traveling to Iceland in winter, you really need to dress as warm as you possibly can.

I can’t stress this enough – you have to be prepared for everything when traveling in Iceland, especially in the cold months. So I created this Iceland winter packing list in order to help you prepare for your trip and make the most of it, no matter the weather. Find out!

What to wear and what to pack for Iceland in winter

Icelanders will tell you that there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. But what kind of clothes to wear in Iceland in winter? You might be looking for specific advice on what to wear in Iceland in November or what to wear in Iceland in December or in January or in October or even March….

The reality is that it doesn’t matter that much in which month you are traveling specifically. Winter packing list for Iceland is pretty much the same whether you are visiting in October, January, or March.

Packing for Iceland is tricky because you can expect so many different weather conditions in any season. In a way, it’s easier to pack for Iceland when visiting in winter months than in the shoulder season or even in summer, because you know that no matter the weather, it will always be cold. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst!

My best advice for what to wear in Iceland in winter is this: dress in LAYERS, ideally WOOL, and always wear a WINDPROOF and WATERPROOF outer layer. Dressing in layers gives you a lot of flexibility for any weather conditions.

Without further ado, below is the most complete packing list for Iceland in winter.

Waterproof winter jacket

Waterproof and windproof winter jacket. You do need an insulated waterproof and windproof winter jacket in Iceland. It’s an absolute must! If you don’t have a very warm jacket, it’s not a problem to wear a somewhat thinner waterproof jacket. For example, a ski jacket will usually do just fine. Just make sure to wear several layers of fleece and/or woolen sweaters underneath.

It doesn’t really matter if you are visiting Iceland in October, November, January, or even in April,- you do need a really warm waterproof winter coat.

Thermal underwear

Thermal underwear is a must in Iceland in winter. Ideally, wear thermal base layers in merino wool. Don’t forget merino wool leggings too. Good thermal underwear is essential when packing for Iceland in winter. I even wore my merino underwear when I visited Iceland at the beginning of September. In November I wouldn’t have survived without it.

Wool or fleece sweaters

Woollen and/or fleece sweaters. Layering is the key to staying warm in the cold and ever-changing climate. I advise wearing at least one really warm woolen sweater. Ideally, pack a couple of thinner lightweight sweaters in wool as well. Fleece sweaters are ok for layering too, but you’ll quickly realize that real wool is irreplaceable.

Waterproof winter pants

You should know that jeans are completely useless in Iceland and even more so in winter. They’ll get wet when it rains (it will rain!) and you’ll be cold and wet the whole day. You can still pack a pair of jeans to wear in the hotel in the evening, but don’t wear them for exploring during the day.

Waterproof or water-resistant winter pants is what you need to pack for Iceland in winter. I didn’t buy any special winter pants when packing for Iceland in November, but took my waterproof skiing pants. They were ideal for sightseeing during the day and perfect when chasing the Northern Lights at night.

You may not want to wear ski pants in Reykjavik city, but they are really essential when exploring Iceland’s natural landmarks in winter.

Wool socks

Woolen socks are essential when packing for Iceland in winter. Pack several pairs of really warm socks, especially if you are planning on spending a lot of time outdoors. I often wore two pairs of socks in Iceland in winter, at least one pair in wool; the other pair – my warmest ski socks.

Whatever you choose, don’t compromise on footwear when packing for Iceland in winter. Once again, you really need WATERPROOF winter boots in Iceland between mid-October and March. If you are traveling at the beginning of October or in April, you may be ok with regular waterproof hiking boots, but make sure to pack some really warm socks.

Ice cleats

Iceland is really icy in winter and sometimes it’s really difficult to walk around, even if you have good winter boots. There is one thing that I missed in Iceland in winter and that is stabilicers – a sort of an extra shoe sole with steel cleats to prevent you from slipping. We could have definitely used these by the waterfalls!

STABILIcers for walking on ice are really essential in Iceland in winter. I see this question asked again and again – do I really need stabilicers in Iceland in winter? Yes, it’s really a good idea to pack ice cleats for outdoor activities in Iceland in winter. There are lighter and cheaper models that don’t take much space in your suitcase – it’s better than nothing. Pack them with you, especially in the coldest months from November to March.

Waterproof gloves, winter hat, and a scarf

Gloves, scarf or buff, and winter hat. Gloves, scarf or buff, and a winter hat are an absolute must in Iceland in any season. In winter, I advise wearing warm windproof and waterproof GoreTex gloves, ideally mittens, together with thin inner gloves that you can keep on while taking pictures.

I packed two warm hats to Iceland with me as well: a fleece hat and a winter hat with ear flaps. I used them both – the fleece hat during the day when it was dry and the waterproof hat when the wind was really strong, when it rained, and also at night when waiting for the Northern Lights.

Swimsuit and a quick-drying towel

Swimsuit and a quick-drying towel are a must in Iceland in any season. Iceland is known for its many outdoor thermal pools and hot tubs which are popular all year round. Although you can usually rent a towel at some bigger pools, it’s quite expensive. Smaller local pools usually don’t rent towels. It’s so much easier to just bring your own!

Regular bath towels are heavy and take a long time to dry. I recommend packing a quick-drying travel towel. Also, don’t forget your swimsuit! Flip-flops might be useful but are not a must.

Jeans/ pants

I already mentioned that jeans are not ideal for Iceland. However, you may want to pack a pair of jeans or light pants to wear on the plane or at your hotel/restaurant in the evening.

Whether or not you need smart clothing depends on where you are staying in Iceland. You may want to pack one set of casual smart clothing to wear for dinner or to go out in Reykjavik. In general, people dress very casually in Iceland’s hotels – a pair of jeans and a sweater is all you need.

Extra pair of shoes

I also recommend packing an extra pair of shoes when traveling to Iceland. After all, you don’t want to wear your muddy and wet winter boots inside a hotel. It’s also essential to have a second pair of shoes in case your boots get really wet.

Winter jacket, wool sweaters, and a swimsuit? Yes, this is what you should pack for Iceland in winter!

Further below you can find a list of other Iceland winter packing essentials (not clothing) that you really should pack for Iceland in winter. At the bottom of this post, you can also find some examples of what I wore in Iceland in November. Read on!

Thermos

Thermos flask. There are few things in life that make you feel better than a sip of a hot drink after a walk in the cold. And even though there are many more cafes and restaurants in Iceland now than there used to be when we visited ten years ago, finding one while on the road can be trickier than you think.

Packing a thermos flask (and a picnic lunch for that matter) gives you complete flexibility during the day. You can fill it up with coffee or tea at breakfast in your hotel or at a petrol station or a restaurant.

Find a beautiful spot, sit down on a rock with a warm cup of tea in your hands and a magnificent view in front of you – it’s as good as it gets.

Reusable water bottle

Reusable water bottle. Icelandic tap water is pure, it’s tasty, it’s safe to drink, and it’s FREE. Take a reusable water bottle and fill it up whenever you can.

Flashlight

Flashlight or headlight. Having a small powerful flashlight in your pocket can be very useful on many occasions as it gets dark very early in Iceland in winter. We used flashlights all the time when looking for a good spot to photograph Northern Lights or when trying to choose the right camera settings or to focus in the dark. Headlight keeps your hands free, so it’s ideal for night photography.

Moisturizer

Lip balm, hand cream, face cream for cold weather, and body moisturizer should be in everybody’s bag when traveling to Iceland in winter. You will enjoy your Iceland winter trip more when you will not have cracked lips, dried out hands, or an itching body. Take my word for this, you’ll be glad you packed these little travel essentials.

Power bank

Batteries drain very fast in a cold climate. I advise you to carry extra batteries for your camera in Iceland in winter and don’t forget a good power bank. It allows you to charge your smartphone or any other devices during the day. A power bank has quickly become my essential packing item for all our trips.

Travel adapter

Iceland uses European plugs. Regular adapters will be fine for charging phones and cameras, but not for heavy devices such as hair dryers.

Sunglasses

Yes, you also need sunglasses in Iceland in winter. The sun is very low and you’ll definitely need sunglasses if driving on a sunny winter day. If you have special sport anti-fog sunglasses, you may want to take those with you.

Backpack with rain cover

Day backpack and backpack rain cover. A good rain cover for your backpack is a must when visiting Iceland in any season. When it rains, it pours and in a matter of just a few minutes, everything is soaking wet. You can leave your umbrella at home – strong winds make it completely useless.

Medication

Traveling in Iceland usually means that you’re in very rural locations with no shops, let alone pharmacies nearby. Make sure to pack a first-aid kit and any medicine you think you might need. As a minimum, make sure you have some strong pain medication with you.

Ice scraper

When renting a car in Iceland in winter, you may want to pack an ice-scraper. I still can’t believe it, but rental cars in Iceland don’t come with any winter essentials. So, as a minimum, pack an ice-scraper with you. I heard from many people that they advise to also take a foldable snow shovel, as well as a brush to clean the snow off the car.

We didn’t have any of that on our trip to the North of Iceland in May; luckily we were able to borrow a big brush from our accommodation – see the picture below.

Cleaning the snow off our rental car with a borrowed brush (May 25 in Myvatn)

What to Wear in Iceland in Winter – My Experience in November

If you’re looking for specific advice on what to wear in Iceland in winter, here are some examples of the clothes that I wore on my trip to Iceland in November.

We had very cold weather, with temperatures dropping to -10°C (14°F) and winds up to 100km/h (62 mph) on several occasions. We asked Icelanders what they thought the wind chill factor would be, and they said there was no number to describe it. When it comes to Icelandic winter weather, they said, you can only divide it into two categories: cold or bloody cold. It was the latter.

Printable Iceland Winter Packing List

If you are looking for a printable winter packing list for Iceland, you canfill in the form below. It has all of the items listed above and makes it easy to check if you haven’t forgotten anything. Because, well, you really don’t want to arrive in Iceland in winter and realize that you left your thermal undies or waterproof gloves at home…

Are you interested in a FREE Printable Packing List for Iceland in Winter?

Sign up for Full Suitcase newsletter and we will send it to you right away. So that you don’t forget to pack any of the essentials and enjoy your Icelandic winter adventure even more!

Thank you!

Please check your mailbox to confirm subscription. If you don’t see the email right away, please check Promotions and Spam folders.

If you forget to pack something essential… You will be able to find anything you might need in Reykjavik and some bigger towns in Iceland, but it is really difficult to impossible in rural areas. Also, the prices are much, much higher in Iceland than on Amazon, so it’s best to prepare well in advance, pack everything you need, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

What to Wear in Reykjavik in Winter

If you are wondering what clothes to pack for Reykjavik in winter months, I think the answer depends on what you’re planning to do. If you are just visiting Reykjavik town, going to museums and shops, then you don’t really need ski pants or several layers of sweaters. Warm winter shoes are still a must, as well as a good winter jacket, gloves, scarf, and a hat. Insulated water-resistant pants are still advisable.

On the other hand, if you are planning to do winter day trips from Reykjavik, then you should dress really warm and follow Iceland winter packing suggestions from this post.

Jurga, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge so freely! My husband and I are going to be in Hornstrandir from March 2nd to the 10th, and then hope to drive the ring road form Isafjorder back to Keflavik by the 16th (going North!)… Any tips you can offer would be MUCH appreciated. Also, my husband is allergic to wool – any suggestions?

Hi Rachel, sounds like an amazing trip, just be aware that it’s still very much winter in Iceland in March and so you have to be comfortable with driving in extreme winter conditions, especially because you are going North. Make sure to rent a 4WD and not the smallest one either (you can find the best deals for car rental here – book asap!). You may want to take an ice scraper/ snow brush for the snow with you – they usually don’t come with a rental car. Any other tips – in general, you have to book your accommodations well in advance. I guess it won’t be a problem up North this time of the year, but the south coast between Reykjavik and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is extremely popular, so at least there you’d better book asap. Here you can find our suggestions on where to stay along the Ring Road in Iceland. If you are looking for ideas where to go and what to see, you can find some general itinerary suggestions here and here I have a bit more detailed itinerary for the south coast in winter. As for the clothing, if your husband is allergic to wool, then I recommend synthetic thermal underwear (something like this). Instead of a wool sweater, he should best look into wearing a couple of warm fleece sweaters over each other and a warm waterproof jacket. If he can’t wear a woolen hat, there are also warm fleece hats available or – even better – a waterproof trapper hat like this – believe me, it’s not exaggerated for Iceland in winter. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks again, Jurga! I have another question that I just can’t seem to get an answer to – can you fly on Air Iceland (Reykjavík to Isafjorder) with chemical handwarmers either in luggage or as carry on? And if not, can they be bought in Isafjorder?

Hi Rachel, I really don’t know. I think – in general – if you have just a few of them for personal use it should be fine. But if you want to be sure, why not try contacting the airline. In any case, anything you’ll have to buy in Iceland will be multiple times more expensive…

Karin Nechvatal

Hi there, we are traveling to Iceland beginning of September and want to know if we wear the same items as you have listed in your blog. Also can you recommend at good backpack for day tour trips to the Golden Circle or out to find the Northern lights. Thank you!

Hi Karin, for beginning of September, you can pretty much our Iceland summer packing list. Just keep an eye on the forecast and maybe pack a somewhat warmer jacket or a thicker sweater and I also advise thermal underwear (also leggings). As for a backpack, there are so many. I use a 30 liter day backpack from Jack Wolfskin for years already, but once again, there are many others… Make sure it has a rain cover or get one separately. It’s really a must. Enjoy your trip!

Jurga, your tips were absolutely spot on and incredibly helpful to us. We were warm, dry and as happy as we could be in blizzards, hail storms, rain and wind (who knew the weather in Iceland could change THAT quickly!). I fell in love with Iceland, particularly it’s stark beauty in winter, and can’t wait to go back when the weather is warmer, the land is greener and the hours of daylight lengthen!

Thank you so much for coming back to the blog to share your experience, Hallie. Glad to hear that our packing tips helped you enjoy Iceland in winter! If you can, try to visit again in summer, you’ll be amazed – it’s a completely different country!

Hi James, glad to hear you found this useful. As for the hotel, I’m not familiar with it, but I looked it up and if you mean this Tower Suites hotel in Reykjavik, then it looks great. Reviews are fantastic, the views look amazing, and the location is ok. A bit of a walk from some places, but in general Reykjavik city centre is so small that it’s not a problem. Enjoy your trip!

We leave for Iceland on Tuesday morning, we have thermals and layers, as well as most of the suggested items. My concern is that I get really hot easily so worried about the transition from outdoors to indoors. If for instance you are going out in Reykjavik for the evening what do you wear as going to be outside walking from the hotel etc and then inside where it is warm. Is there places to store coats/waterproofs etc at places when you go indoors? Thank you

Hi Claire, yes, it can be a bit challenging sometimes, especially at the restaurants in town. Some places will take your coat, some others – you just hang it on the chair… In general, you need less layers in the city compared to when you spend the whole day outdoors, since you can always go to warm somewhere if need be. So maybe dress a bit lighter when in Reykjavik, so you have less to take off… 🙂 Also, all hotels in Iceland are really war inside, so keep that in mind when packing and take some lighter clothing for when you go for dinner at the hotel restaurant. Hope this helps. You’re probably overthinking it too much. Just go with the flow and don’t worry about what people think and do what makes sense for you. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Prasanna, I also wore my ski pants in Iceland, no reason to buy anything new if your pants are warm and waterproof. If they aren’t waterproof, then I’d consider either getting new warm waterproof winter pants or rain pants that you can wear over your pants in case of heavy rain/snow.

Hi James, you don’t really need crampons, but stabilicers (see some examples in the post above) can be useful, especially around the waterfalls where it’s often like an ice skating rink in winter. If you visit Golden Circle, you’ll be visiting Gullfoss waterfall and along the South Coast you will probably go to Selfoss and Seljalandsfoss. You can still see all these waterfalls from further away if it’s too slippery to get closer, but sometimes even the car parkings are covered with ice… You could potentially get stabilicers online, keep them in the original packaging, and send them back afterwards if you end up not needing them. 😉

Glad to hear you found it useful, Mar. I made that printable list to help people to quickly check that they didn’t forget something when actually packing the suitcase. It’s so easy to forget something essential, and Iceland isn’t the best place to come unprepared in winter. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Gwen, crampons are in general much heavier and with longer metal ‘claws’. They are more meant for activities like glacier hiking or ice climbing and normally if you do a tour, crampons will be provided. Whereas stabilicers are lighter, with just short metal spikes, more meant to walk around on icy pavements in town or for some lighter winter walking. They don’t cost that much, don’t take lots of space in your luggage, and are easy to quickly slip on over your shoes. So for sightseeing in Iceland in winter, I recommend stabilicers.

Hi, I’m on my way to the airport now and of to Iceland. Glad I found your packing tips yesterday night as the first thing I did in the morning was to completely repack my rucksack! I guess it saved me lots of tears and money! Thanks for the great tips on what needed in November. I really didn’t think to expect full blown winter at this time. It’s my first time in Iceland. It seems what I’m taking with me in terms of clothes is really most of my winter / skiing gear I had in Norway last year. I hope it will be relatively good weather. I’m going there on my own and plan to spend 4 days. Found 2 day trips that sound interesting. Thanks again for good tips. Really helpful.

Hi Kate, your comment made my day. Glad you decided to check for advice last minute as it’s indeed winter in Iceland already. I even saw people posting pictures of snow the other day, so I think you’ll be glad with all the winter and ski clothing. If you are still looking for some ideas for day tours, you can find our hand-picked selection here. Don’t miss the South Coast, and hopefully the skies clear up a bit and you get to see auroras. Have a great trip!

Hi Liz, beginning of May I’d go with the winter packing list and several layers. Just in case you get extremely lucky with the weather, you can always take one layer off, but be prepared for the cold. Depending on where you go, if it’s just South of Iceland, you might be ok with just regular waterproof hiking boots (so not necessarily winter boots), but make sure you pack some wool socks.

I’m leaving for Iceland in just a few weeks, which will be early/mid March. With all the wind in winter, combined with rain and snow, are sunglasses sufficient during glacier hikes? I would not like to get wind and rain in my eyes, plus my glasses often fog up from my breath. Would you recommend using ski goggles instead? Also, I’ll be renting a car, I assume that the rental SUV will already be equipped for the winter for driving on the ring road, notably winter/snow tires. Is that a safe assumption or do I need to request it from the rental agency?

Hi Isabelle, I really don’t know about the glasses. For me, sunglasses were more than enough and I haven’t seen anyone with ski googles. But if your eyes are very sensitive, then you probably know best what you need. Maybe consider sports sunglasses? As for the car, I also think that they will be equipped with winter tires in this period, not sure about stud tires though. You could always give them a call and ask, it never hurts.

We are planning a trip to Iceland I. November this year and I have been reading all your comments and advise, they are very helpful and giving us a great idea of what to expect, thank you so much We are renting a car and already have a place to stay, all we need us plan our itinerary for one week, there are so many things to do, choosing the best is the trick here!! Again Thsnks..

Hi Belle, it’s Jack Wolfskin Nova Scotia jacket, but I really don’t know if you still find the same color. 🙂 You know how these brands are – changing collections multiple times every year. 🙂 But yes, it was a great choice for Iceland in winter as it brightened up all the pictures :). I found something similar for you here, not sure how warm it is, and the yellow is maybe too yellow :).

Hello, there will be four of us traveling right after Christmas to Iceland. After reading the blogs, I see what needs to be packed for this trip. Regarding weather and activity, are all the tours still open at this time or are they cancelled due to weather? How is transportation there? I heard buses are best to get from to to fro . I also heard about expensive food and drink. We are from north jersey so we are used to more expensive meals but how much would a meal for two with several drinks cost approximately? As far as currency it looks like ten krona to one US dollar. Is that correct? I was told tipping is not necessary as gratuities are included. Is this correct? Any goo tips for us at this particular time of travel we should know? ThAnkyou

Hi Mike, I will have to refer you to some of my other blog posts for winter travel. Check our winter itinerary for ideas of what you can do. Check this if you rather stay in Reykjavik and do day tours. Normally, all the tours that I mention in my posts run in winter. Some may not go daily, but you can see it in the calendar when you book. Yes, it sometimes happens that they get cancelled due to the weather, but not often. If you want to do any tours, book ASAP – Iceland is very popular and definitely around Christmas/ New Year. Lots of things (tours, hotels, car rental) get fully booked, so if you still need any of that, book now. As for transportation, do not count on public transport as it will really not get you anywhere in terms of sightseeing outside the city. You have to either rent a car or do tours. If you don’t have a car and have to get to the city from the airport, make sure to book an airport transfer in advance. It only costs around 25USD. I just saw someone complain on Facebook that they took a taxi to Reykjavik and paid almost 200 USD. As for the meals, it depends on where you are. In Reykjavik and some other towns you will have more choice in terms of restaurants, but even then it’s difficult to find any good meal under 20-30 USD. often, you will pay 35-50USD for a main course at dinner, especially in remote areas. Alcohol is very expensive too (10-12 USD for a beer in the restaurant isn’t uncommon). 3-5 USD for a soft drink. Don’t worry about tipping – it’s not needed. They won’t say no of course, but it’s not a must at all. 1000 ISK is (roughly) about 10 USD at the moment, so divide all the prices by a hundred and it will give you a good idea how much everything costs. Hope this helps. You can find more information on our Iceland page.

Hi Jurga, I’m glad that I found your blog, its such in details and helpful, My trip to Iceland shall be Next year Feb 16th May I know is Reykjavik Windy Winter or Dry Winter? I’ve been to Rovaniemi , the winter there is Dry and not as cold as we predicted, Is Iceland winter colder than other part of Europe in Feb?

Hi, temperatures in Iceland in winter are not as cold as you would expect. I think it hardly ever gets below -10°C, usually around 0°C. However, it is indeed very windy and therefore feels much colder than the temperatures would make you think. Also, it doesn’t snow that much, but you can get lots of winterly rain and ice. Add the wind to that and it’s as cold as it gets. That’s why you need waterproof clothing and waterproof shoes. Layering is the best way to make sure that you are prepared for the ever-changing weather.

I plan to travel to Iceland from October 29th to the 5th of November. 1. Curious of the road conditions from Reykjavik to Hofn ?? If we would have time to travel to Egilisstadir or not and still drive back to Reykjavik by Saturday? 2. Any advice on domestic flights in order to cut down on car time? We thought of trying to visit Lake Myvan and fly back from Akureyri ? 3. How much time to allow for the Golden Circle? 4. Travel from Airport (Kef) to Reykjavik cost if bus/shuttle? 5. As another couple will be renting a car coming in a day after me.

Hi Laurie, I really have no time to look into your itinerary, but here are some answers: 1. Road conditions – you won’t know till you get there. I would think that in that period it should generally be ok. For driving times it’s best to use Google maps – they are usually pretty accurate. 2. The best way to get to/from Akureyri in winter is indeed by flying from Reykjavik. 3. Golden Circle – you’ll need half a day + the time to get there and back. 4. You can book your airport shuttle here.

Great post thanks so much for the tips, I was having a bit of a stress packing… as always!! A couple of questions, I have walking boots or walking trainers – do you think I boots are a better option? Also any tips on what food to take I heard it was pretty expensive so was thinking of taking my own. Thanks

Hi Becky, whether you need hiking boots will depend on your itinerary. If you plan on doing some serious hiking, then yes. Otherwise you will be ok in walking shoes, just make sure they are waterproof and somewhat anti-slip, even if you only do short walks to the main highlights. I have no experience with taking food into Iceland. I think I took a package of cookies and never ate it :). There are quite some shops/ petrol stations/ small cafes along the Ring Road now, especially in the South, and the prices are generally ok. Dinner in remote areas is quite expensive though, as there is not much choice or alternatives. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Jurga, I’m reading your tips and wondering what to pack when you’re sharing one suitcase with four people. We’re flying WOW Airline and WOW suits this carrier in so many different ways. The airfare was amazing even after paying for seat selection and one carry on for our family trip with two tall adult children. But that is what’s stressing me out. How do we get enough clothes for the four of us into one checked bag. They even charge for a second personal carry on now…. WOW! So what do you think is most important to bring? We get about 10lbs each in the checked bag.

Wow! 🙂 I think you can always still book an extra bag after you already booked the tickets. Most low-cost companies allow it. So check that first. But anyway. Back to packing. I actually think it’s possible (we travelled to Australia for 5 weeks with 2 suitcases for the 5 of us, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to way over 100°F in different regions we covered). Take just one pair of shoes – wear them. Pack a waterproof jacket – wear it as well. One sweater (fleece = light and warm) per person – wear it. Pack one extra fleece sweater, maybe an extra pair of pants. For the rest it’s just some underwear and t-shirts really (which can be washed in the hotel in the evening if need be), swimsuit (but leave the towels and even flip-flops at home). A buff, gloves, toiletries (as little as possible – you can use hotel amenities or buy what you need upon arrival)… It’s not easy, but feasible even with 10lbs. Don’t take anything that is not 100% necessary. Make sure that all your clothes match (so no pants that only fit with that sweater and situations like that ;)) and that you can layer the sweaters/jacket if necessary. You’ll be surprised how little you actually need. Hope this helps! Curious to see how you manage it! 😉

I am returning from Iceland today. Winter had just arrived about the middle of my trip. Jurga’s packing tips really saved my life.

Jillian, I flew with Icelandair from Chicago O’hare to Keflavik. They allow you 2 free checked bags, one carry-on and a personal item. The carry on bag I chose was an Osprey Transporter 40 duffle/backpack. It fit perfectly in the overhead compartment, and I had it packed full. I would say the type of luggage you would need may also depend on what type of vehicle you will be travelling in and if your travelling companions will need space for their luggage also. These were the big deciding factors for me. The large roller suitcases can take up a lot of room in the back of your car and could make it difficult to situate other luggage.

Be sure to take Jurga’s advice about what to pack. The most useful things I had on the trip were my waterproof pants and my rain/wind shell jacket. You don’t want to have to buy the expensive stuff in Iceland’s gift stores. My husband did not take my advice and found out the hard way that he needed waterproof instead of water resistant clothes.

Thanks a lot for your feedback, DeAnna. Glad to hear that my tips made your trip more enjoyable. How was the trip itself? Sorry to hear about your husband though. I saw so many people in wet jeans during our trip, I don’t know how they handled it. It’s so much easier and cheaper to buy the right clothing (and shoes!) before you leave – prices are really high in Iceland and even more so in tourist areas.

It really was everything I hoped it would be! The weather was about as nice as you can expect it to be in November. Some sunshine, some rain, snow and cold strong wind. The northern lights were not very strong while I was visiting though. We saw them very faintly one night while staying in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. My favorite memory of the trip was climbing the cliff behind the town in the dark to get a better view of the lights. We were completely alone up there, the moon was full, and we could see everything for miles in all directions bathed in moonlight. Simply the most incredible view even without the northern lights.

Hi Jillian, I think that DeAnna is right – you should consider what means of transport you will be using in Iceland before deciding what type of luggage to take with you. I took a large duffel bag with wheels to Iceland, but it’s the same luggage we use for most of our trips. We’ve abandoned hard shell suitcases years ago, because duffel bags are just easier to stack in the trunk of the car when doing road trips, and especially now that we travel with 5 people. But if trunk space is not an issue, then it really doesn’t matter.

Any excuse is good to to update your wardrobe, isn’t it? 😉 Same here – I buy most clothes when preparing for trips. Advice for Iceland – buy bright colours. Landscape can be really b&w in winter if the weather is less good and your bright jacket will improve all your pictures! Or at least that’s what everyone keeps telling me about my yellow jacket in Iceland…

Thanks for the advice, Jurga. I found your article very useful. Myself and a group of friends are travelling south Iceland for a week this coming November, and I’m already so anxious about the trip. My entire suitcase will just be coats I’m afraid. I’ve already got the thermals and rain gear checked off the list, but I’ve got to get something heavier to help fight the wind and keep me from blowing away.

Glad you found my tips useful, DeAnna. You made me laugh ‘entire suitcase will be just coats’. 🙂 Pick right and one is enough. And don’t forget at least 2-3 layers underneath. You can click on the yellow jacket picture to see what I wore in Iceland in November – to give you an idea. What you are looking for is a lightweight wind- and waterproof jacket with winter insulation. Have fun in Iceland (and don’t blow away)!

I’m with you on this one, Tatjana. I also wore jeans in Reykjavik, in combination with thermic underpants and three layers of shirts/sweaters + windproof winter jacket (we visited in November). It was still cold, but in town you can always find a place to warm up. Outside of town I wore my winter pants (kind of skiing pants actually) with thermic underwear and it was bearable. People with jeans were really suffering, especially at the waterfalls where they got wet. And we didn’t even have rain – can’t imagine how cold it would be if the jeans would get wet in the rain in such temperatures.

My friend and I are leaving for Iceland next week and your tips have helped tremendously. I feel that I am well prepared now and ready for Icelandic winter. We knew we needed warm clothing, but some of your tips have been especially helpful.

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jurga. A traveler with a camera and a mom of three boys. On this blog, I share our family's travel experiences all over the world, coupled with lots of practical information and useful tips. My pictures will inspire you to discover new destinations and my stories will prove that you can take your kids anywhere.Join us as we discover the world one beautiful adventure at a time! Here you can read more about me, my family, and our trips all over the world...